Diamonds, xenoliths and kimberlites: A window into the Earth’s Interior.


The leader of the UNESCO IGCP 557 project is Holger Sommer The e.mail contact is : somhol@yahoo.de
1. Project title: Diamonds, xenoliths and kimberlites: A window into the Earth’s Interior.
2. Project Leader: Holger Sommer, E.mail : somhol@yahoo.de

The principal aim of this study is to develop a model describing for the formation of e- and
p-types of diamonds. Hence, this project incorporates the study of the Earth’s Interior. The
main topics of the project include:
a) To predict the p- and e-type diamond distribution through space and time
b) To study the petrology of the diamond bearing rocks (kimberlites and xenoliths)
c) To test optimal plate tectonic scenarios for the p- and e-types of diamonds
d) To study the cogenetic inclusions in diamonds
e) To analyze the stability fields of diamondiferous layers in the lithosphere
f) To characterize and date the lower crustal fragments (metasediments and metamafic
xenoliths) in kimberlites.
g) To compare the mineral chemistries obtained from both the experimental and field
data.
h) To establish a novel thermodynamics simulation tool for 3-D geodynamic modeling
of a subduction zone.
i) Capacity building programs for scientists from developing countries.
Societal benefits
a) The results from this project will bring a better understanding of the formation of
diamonds in the Deep Earth. This knowledge is necessary for future discoveries of
diamond bearing kimberlites, and subsequent global exploration for diamonds in
different terrains and at different scales.
b) The results from this project will make a significant contribution to the general
scientific knowledge of the Earth’s Interior. This knowledge is relevant to schools,
universities and the general public. Capacity building programs for scientists from the
developing countries is an important component of the project.
c) The results from this project will promote the collaboration between research
/training institutions and the private sector (e.g. companies dealing with diamond
exploration and mining).
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Our IGCP project proposal was approved at the last UNESCO/IUGS/IGCP session held in Paris France, and allocated as IGCP Project 545: Clays and Clay Minerals in Africa. This project is to run from 2007-2011.
1. Project title: Clays and clay minerals in Africa: their geneses and paleoenvironmental considerations, mineralogy, geochemistry and applications

2. Project Leader: Georges Ekosse, Coordinator of Geology, Mining and Minerals Programs, School of Physical and Mineral Sciences, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, SOVENGA 0727 South Africa. Tel: +27 15 268 2451; Fax: +27 15 268 2362/2893; Email: ekosseg@ul.ac.za; Gekosse@excite.com

3. Brief Project Outline: Clays and clay minerals are very important in several geochemical and mineralogical processes, and have very wide and varied industrial applications. Whereas clays and clay minerals occurrences and deposits in other parts of the world are comprehensively represented and well documented, this does not seem to be the case with those in the African continent. It is therefore compulsively imperative to elucidate on the geology, mineralogy, chemistry, technological properties and applications of these very important industrial minerals in Africa, thereby contributing to the Clays and Clay Minerals Body of Knowledge (CCMBK) globally, and advancing opportunities for sustainable developmental projects that local communities could possibly embark on.


4. Aims and background: This study, which brings together scientists and researchers interested in understanding clays and clay minerals in Africa, also advances opportunities in the role of these minerals as indicators for the reconstruction of ancient environments.
The study aims to identify and characterize selected suite of clays and clay minerals in the African continent that can bring more understanding of palaeo environments, and also advise on their exploitation potentials. The researchers with other relevant stakeholders will work with research collaborators in areas in which clays and clay minerals occurrences are found in the continent for applied research geared towards the understanding of these minerals. Opportunities for the transfer of acquired knowledge and expertise to communities will enhance the sustainability of livelihoods in some of the communities where these minerals occur and residents live in abject poverty.
In a broad context, the following aims of the project should be achieved:
1. Show where possible, relationships between various mineral occurrences and geological, structural, geographical and other controls that might have influenced the formation of the clays and clay minerals deposits and occurrences.
2. Summarise basic geology, geochemistry and mineralogy, thereby reducing the risks associated with green fields investigations.
3. Contribute to the application of clays and clay minerals in the understanding of paleoenvironments.
4. Assist in optimal utilisation of clays and clay mineral resources.
5. Contribute to the development of services to a growing African clays for industrial product manufacturing industry.
6. Contribute to knowledge transfers.
More specifically, the following key aims and objectives of the project will be addressed:


7. Basic clays and clay minerals products identification and characterization exercises will be carried out, from which further beneficiation studies will be performed for tailor-made applications of the resources.
8. Identification of the most appropriate technologies for the utilization of the clays and clay minerals resources that will be most economically beneficial to communities.
9. Advancement of the most suitable rehabilitation techniques of mining sites prior to their decommissioning. This aspect will also emphasise the application of environmental rehabilitation techniques that seek to encourage the use of rehabilitated sites for other more sustainable post-mining activities, such as agriculture, recreational facilities etc.
10. Running of short courses, workshops and seminars aimed at promoting knowledge in clays and clay minerals.
11. Relating clays and clay minerals occurrences in Africa to others globally in an effort of globally contextualising their occurrences and roles as indicators for the interpretation of paleoenvironments
5. Project significance: The project will contribute substantially to the understanding of clays and clay minerals, particularly those occurring in Africa. Clays as indicators for paleo environmental reconstruction will be investigated
Key areas to be investigated will include the following:

• Paleoenvironments

• Clay minerals geneses

• Mineralogical characterization

• Chemical/geochemical characterization

• Physical and related properties

• Stable isotopes and dating

• Clays in medicine/pharmaceutics/microbiological characterization

• Agricultural, environmental and industrial applications of clays

• Clays in soils

• Clay minerals processing/beneficiation

• Clay minerals mining/extraction

• Others (specify where applicable)
The project will address sustainable development of selected local communities in Africa through capacity building, making sure that local communities benefit from the exploitation of clays and clay minerals within their environments through sustainable developmental projects. In so doing, there will be poverty alleviation in the local communities through employment, job creation, skills development, training and capacity building. This study is considered as constituting a significant step in fostering sustainable livelihoods and economic development of local communities. The study will make available reference skills for the exploitation of clays and clay mineral resources and promoting their exploitation. At the same time scientific knowledge clays and clay minerals will be made readily available to stakeholders and the global scientific community at large. Through these endeavours, opportunities for the successful execution of several research and development projects for the advancement of Science and Technology will also be developed.
6. Work plan: It is anticipated that this project will be carried in five years. Summary details of time schedule for the project follows:
Year 1. (2007)
January - March
• Workshop One. Workshops on the development of research topics under the following working groups that will be established through the different group leaders:

Paleoenvironments

Clay minerals geneses

Mineralogical characterization

Chemical/geochemical characterization

Physical and related properties

Stable isotopes and dating

Clays in medicine/pharmaceutics

Agricultural, environmental and industrial applications of clays

Clays in soils

Clay minerals processing/beneficiation

Clay minerals mining/extraction

Others (specify)
• The chosen research topics should cover for student projects that can be offered at both masters and doctorate levels in different universities from which members of the project research team are beneficially employed.
• Choosing a web manager and setting up of website for the project
April - June
• Reconnaissance work which will include field workshops to different study sites where clay deposits and occurrences are found in the continent, as well as geologic terrains that have to be investigated for paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
July – December
• Directed fieldwork under the different group leaders focusing on mapping and sampling

Year 2 (2008)
January -June
• Laboratory analyses
June – August
• Workshop Two. Workshops to discuss results from laboratory analyses and interpretative projections.
• Short courses
• Workshop for the formation of the African Clays Group (ACG) to promote Clays and Clay Minerals Body of Knowledge (CCMBK) in the continent in particular. This will be realized through anticipated support from existing clay bodies such as the Geological Society of Africa, European Clays Group, the British Clay Group, Clays and Clay Minerals Society, Australian Clays Group among several others; and industries exploiting industrial minerals in the continent.
July – December
• Further sampling and more specialized laboratory analyses

Year 3 (2009)
• Manuscripts submission for publication through special volumes of negotiated journals such as the Journal of African Earth Sciences, Clays and Clay Minerals, Clay Minerals, Applied Clay Science and other related journals
• Short courses
• Masters dissertations
• Workshop Three. Workshop of the ACG
• Collaborative work on book to be written : Clays and Clay Minerals in Africa

Year 4 (2010)
• Workshop Four. Workshop for the linking of clays and clay minerals in Africa to others globally
• Doctorate dissertations
• More manuscripts for publication
• Finalizing and getting book published on Clays and Clay Minerals in Africa

Year 5 (2011)
• Workshop Five. Workshop on Project review including project appraisal based on original aims and objectives of the project
• Advancing recommendations and way forward
• Project closure
Inaugural meeting
The project starts immediately. An inaugural meeting is called for either September or October, 2007 in South Africa. Details including organization and submission of extended abstracts, venue, date, accommodation, language, and registration will be in the first call for the workshop which will be announced. The two-day meeting will comprise of scientific presentations and discussions on the first day and an organizational business meeting on the second day in which co-project leaders, project drivers and group leaders will be identified and chosen. Papers that will be presented will be peer reviewed for special publication in one of the following journals: Journal of African Earth Science, International Journal of Environmental Studies, or the Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management.

A series of proposals will be prepared by different project drivers on different themes tied to the IGCP project. Each one of us should identify to at least two of the broad project sub topics: Paleoenvironments; Clay minerals geneses; Mineralogical characterization; Chemical/geochemical characterization; Physical and related properties; Stable isotopes and dating; Clays in medicine/pharmaceutics; Agricultural, environmental and industrial applications of clays; Clays in soils; Clay minerals processing/beneficiation; Clay minerals mining/extraction; Others (specify where applicable). Prepare sub project proposals along the sub topics which will also be presented during the two days workshop. This is a crucial move for capacity building among participating institutions. Collaboration will also be promoted through the launching of MSc and PhD programs.